Google To Launch 30 Super Pressure Balloons As Internet Access

About 30 super pressure balloons will be launch in near space by Google from New Zealand to supply internet access with 3G-like speeds to structures below on the ground. The firm says the concept could offer a way to connect the two-thirds of the world’s population which does not have affordable net connections. Google aims to create fleets that will provide connectivity which is located in one place and secure connection to the ground. Suggestions come up earlier including hanging high-altitude platforms but Google disapprove the concept thinking that the equipment would have problem struggling with the wind and will surely cost a big amount. The idea of free-floating balloons was not easily accepted for the following factors: it must not go anywhere wherever the wind will took them; location must be precise where internet is needed on the ground.

Google then strive to design the equipment using extraordinary computing science and more of computing power. A “mission control” was built where computer servers will carry out the calculations needed to keep them on track, monitored by a small number of engineers. The program will make adjustments to each balloon’s altitude to take advantage of forecast wind conditions, and nudges the balloons up or down to find a more favorable stream when the predictions are not accurate. This highly experimental effort of Google called “Project Loon” whereas each balloon has 15m (49.2ft) in diameter which is equivalent to the length of a small plane, filled with lifting gases.

The devices are battery operated so it will be reliant on solar power. Each balloon has radio antennas, flight computer, altitude control system and solar panels powering the gear. The electronic equipment will fly double the altitude reached by commercial aircrafts on the height of 20km (12 miles) or more from the ground reaching the stratosphere and will stay hanging for 100 days. Travelling from west-to-east direction, each balloon will provide connectivity in 40km in diameter area below. Google says that the principle of this project is to grant connection to 2/3 of the world’s population who has no reasonable internet connection. Teams based in Christchurch and Canterbury, New Zealand has special antennas to received balloon’s signals to recover them at the end of their working life. As expansion, Google plans to coordinate with other groups to do the trial on countries with similar latitude like Argentina, Chile, South Africa and Australia. The firm admits that the connection will be irregular but positively hopes to build a big enough line that will provide dependable links to internet users in remote areas.

It has been said that in the future, these balloons could be an aid rescue to disaster-hit areas on which ground communications meets destruction.

However, an expert says that the effort to simultaneously maneuvering balloons on the high altitude around the globe’s wind pattern is indeed a difficult task to execute and achieve results correctly.